Chris Zoricich

Chris Zoricich (born 3 May 1969 in Auckland) is a New Zealand association football player who represented the New Zealand national football team in the 1980s and 1990s. Born to Croat parents, he began playing football in his native Auckland for Blockhouse Bay Under-7's and went on to play over 50 times for his country.

Not to be confused with Chris Zorich.

Chris Zoricich
Personal information
Full name Christopher Vincent Zoricich
Date of birth (1969-05-03) 3 May 1969
Place of birth Auckland, New Zealand
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 1⁄2 in)
Position(s) Defender
Club information
Current team
 Central United (Manager)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1988 Papatoetoe 0 (0)
1989–1994 Leyton Orient 62 (1)
1994 Central United
1994–1996 Brisbane Strikers 51 (6)
1996 Welling United 1 (0)
1996–1997 Chelsea 0 (0)
1997–1999 Brisbane Strikers 42 (2)
1999–2000 Sydney Olympic 25 (0)
2000–2003 Newcastle Jets 50 (0)
2003–2004 Margate 11 (0)
2004–2005 St Albans City 39 (2)
2005 Harlow Town
2005 Boreham Wood
2005 Heybridge Swifts
2005–2006 Wealdstone
2010 Central United
National team
1988–2003 New Zealand 57 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

"Zorro" began his senior career with Papatoetoe in Auckland before moving to Leyton Orient in England between 1990–1993. He made 59 first team appearances there, and 12 as a substitute during his time in East London, before he was made to return home due to work permit restrictions. A group of Orient fans protested outside the home office to try to keep him in the country.

In 1994, Chris returned to New Zealand to play for Central United, a Croatian-influenced team. His brother, Michael (who played Davis Cup tennis for New Zealand), and his father, Ivan, also turned out for Central at various points. However it was not long before Zoricich was on the move again, this time to Brisbane Strikers in the Australian National Soccer League. He spent two seasons in Australia before heading to England to try his luck again. He made one appearance for Welling United in the Vauxhall Conference and also had a trial spell with Chelsea, at that time managed by Ruud Gullit. During his time at Stamford Bridge, Chris never made the first team but was a regular in the reserve side's defence.

Chris returned to Australia to re-sign for the Brisbane Strikers in 1997, after the club had won the NSL championship on their home ground. He then ended his NSL career by playing for Newcastle Breakers and Newcastle United, before returning to England as his English wife was homesick. After trialling with League Two side, Mansfield Town, he signed for Margate in the Nationwide Conference[1] and then moved on to St Albans City in the Conference South Division.[2] This was followed by short spells at Harlow Town, Boreham Wood, Heybridge Swifts and Wealdstone.

International career

Zoricich made his international debut against Israel on 27 March 1988.[3] He went on to win 57 caps in full 'A' internationals,[4] including captaining the All Whites at the 1999 Confederations Cup in Mexico and the 2003 Confederations Cup in France.[5] His only international goal was in a 1–2 loss to USA in June 1999 at the Confederations Cup.[6]

International goals
Scores and results list New Zealand's goal tally first.[7]
NoDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.24 July 1999Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico United States1–21–21999 FIFA Confederations Cup

After International football

Zoricich as of 2014 is the premier football coach a Saint Kentigern College in Auckland.

References
  1. "Margate sign International Skipper". BBC. 2 September 2003. Retrieved 25 July 2008.
  2. "Kinnear in the Dark". BBC. 15 January 2004. Retrieved 25 July 2008.
  3. "A-International Lineups". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Retrieved 12 February 2009.
  4. "A-International Appearances - Overall". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Archived from the original on 15 June 2009. Retrieved 12 February 2009.
  5. "France thrash Kiwis". BBC. 23 June 2003. Retrieved 25 July 2008.
  6. "A-International Scorers - Overall". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Archived from the original on 15 June 2009. Retrieved 12 February 2009.
  7. "Zoricich, Chris". National Football Teams. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
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